"He reminds me very much of Cesc Fabregas," MacKinnon told BBC Radio Norfolk. "He's similar in appearance to Cesc and in his skill set.

"He plays slightly further forward, but he's a really top player."

Frenchman Andreu, who moved on deadline day for a reported £1m, has scored 13 goals in 26 games this season, including braces in Scottish Premiership games against second-placed Aberdeen and third-placed Inverness.

Andreu wears 22

It seems Tony Andreu may have to ask for a favour from new Norwich team-mate Nathan Redmond. Andreu has become synonymous with the number 22 shirt at Accies, a squad number currently occupied by Redmond at Carrow Road. "There is a song that goes 'Tony Andreu wears number 22'. I'm not sure if it fits in with the Norwich accent," said MacKinnon.

"You're always liable to get goals from him," said MacKinnon, who started his playing career at Arsenal before spells at Dundee, Rangers, Partick Thistle, Airdrieonians, Kilmarnock and Forfar.

"He's scored in half of his games this season and he's played against the top teams and come out with sensational goals."

Goalscoring is not Andreu's only talent, with the former Livingston man believed to be an enthusiastic poet.

"I think it's all in French," said MacKinnon. "He's a very intelligent guy and he is going out with the daughter of John Collins [former Everton and Scotland midfielder, now Celtic assistant manager]."